Veteran players willing to accept lesser roles

9:30 PM,
Jan. 5, 2014

Former Madison County star Jacobbi McDaniel intercepts a pass against Idaho earlier this season.

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When Florida State's offense takes the field tonight against Auburn in the BCS National Championship Game, only three of the Seminoles' 11 starters will be seniors. When FSU is on defense, there will be only four.

But that doesn't mean the No. 1-ranked Seminoles are void of senior leadership. To the contrary, FSU's coaches and players say one of the keys to their success this season has been some of the oldest players being willing to accept lesser roles for the good of the team.

At defensive end, for example, senior Demonte McAllister is the top backup to sophomore Eddie Goldman, even though ...